NOTE: CTA buses and trains will operate on a normal weekday schedule on Wednesday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve. On Thursday, January 1 – New Year’s Day – CTA will operate on a Sunday/Holiday schedule.
CTA Reminds Customers of Upcoming Bus and Rail Service Enhancements
As part of the Chicago Transit Authority’s continued efforts to further improve service for customers, beginning Sunday, December 28, enhancements will be made to select bus routes. In addition, with the recent completion of three-track operations at the Belmont and Fullerton stations, Red, Brown and Purple Express trains have resumed normal operation on all four tracks. As a result, customers will have improved rush-hour travel options, faster travel times and more frequent service.
Red Line – Slow Zone
Daytime Reroute of Red Line Trains at Sheridan Next Week
A daytime reroute will be in effect for Red Line trains operating in both directions at the Sheridan station from approximately 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day beginning Monday, December 29 through Wednesday, December 31, in order to replace deteriorated rail ties, tie plates and spikes.
During this time, northbound and southbound Red Line trains will operate on the Purple Express tracks. Customers at the Sheridan station must board and exit trains on the Purple Express side of each platform.
Customers are advised to allow extra travel time.
Blue Line – Other Events Affecting Service
Single Track in Effect Between the Rosemont and Cumberland Blue Line Stations
Due to CTA maintenance work, a late night single track will be in effect for southbound Blue Line trains between the Rosemont and Cumberland stations from 11 p.m. Sunday, December 29 until 4 a.m. the following morning and then again from 11 p.m. Monday, December 30 until 4 a.m. the following morning.
Southbound Blue Line customers at the Cumberland station must board and exit trains from the northbound side of the platform.
Customers are advised to allow extra travel time. CTA operators will announce the direction of each train.
Brown Line – Other Events Affecting Service
Daytime Reroute of Brown Line Trains at Belmont and Fullerton
Due to work associated with the Brown Line Capacity Expansion project, southbound Brown Line trains will be temporarily rerouted to operate on the southbound Red Line tracks at the Belmont and Fullerton stations from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day beginning Monday, December 29 through Wednesday, December 31.
Southbound Brown Line customers at Belmont and Fullerton must board and exit trains from the southbound Red Line side of the platform.
Normal Brown Line service to the Diversey station will be provided.
Customers are advised to allow extra travel time. CTA operators will announce the route of each train.
Temporary Reroute of Southbound Brown Line Trains at Belmont Monday Night
While crews install windbreaks along the Belmont station, southbound Brown Line trains will be temporarily rerouted to operate on the southbound Red Line tracks from 9 p.m. Monday, December 29 until 5 a.m. the following morning.
Southbound Brown Line customers must board and exit trains from the southbound Red Line platform.
Customers are advised to allow extra travel time. CTA operators will announce the direction and route of each train.
Additional Service for Special Events
#19 United Center Express Serves Upcoming Events
CTA will operate its #19 United Center Express buses on the following dates and times:
- Friday, December 26 at 7:30 p.m. – Philadelphia Flyers versus Blackhawks
- Wednesday, December 31 at 1 p.m. – Orlando Magic versus Bulls
Buses will leave every 10 minutes from Michigan and Randolph starting 90 minutes before the start of the event until the starting time of the event. When the event ends, #19 buses will depart the United Center approximately every 15 minutes for one hour.
#19 buses no longer will make stops along Michigan Avenue north of Randolph, but will continue to make all stops on Madison from Wabash to Clinton. From Clinton, #19 buses run express to the United Center.
After the event, #19 buses will await customers on the north side of the United Center eastbound on Madison near Gate 3. On the return trip, #19 buses operate through downtown east on Washington to Wacker, then head south to Monroe and east to Michigan, making all stops from Jefferson to Michigan before turning north on Michigan and making the final stop at Randolph.
Holiday Hours in Effect on #10 Museum of Science & Industry Bus Route
With the exception of December 25, hours of operation on the #10 Museum of Science & Industry route will be extended through Saturday, December 27, 2008. During this time, the Museum of Science & Industry will open at 9 a.m. on weekdays and Saturdays and at 11 a.m. on Sundays. Closing times will vary.
Service on the #10 will begin operating from Chestnut/Mies van der Rohe each morning approximately 35 minutes prior to the Museum of Science & Industry opening and the last bus will depart from the museum approximately 40 minutes after closing.
The museum is closed on Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25.
New/Updated Changes in Bus Service
#77 Belmont Buses Temporarily Rerouted at the Red and Brown Line Station
Due to work associated with the Brown Line Capacity Expansion project, Belmont Avenue will be closed to all traffic at the Belmont Red and Brown Line station from 9 p.m. Monday, December 29 until 5 a.m. the following morning.
Eastbound #77 Belmont buses will operate over the regular route along Belmont to Sheffield and then will travel via Sheffield, Addison, Halsted to Belmont and then resume the regular route. Westbound #77 buses will travel the reverse route.
#8 Halsted Bus Stop at Halsted and 32nd Reinstated
Beginning Monday, December 29, southbound #8 Halsted buses will resume making stops at the far side bus stop located at Halsted and 32nd.
#11 Lincoln/Sedgwick Bus Stop at Franklin and Jackson Removed
Effective Monday, December 29, the near side service stop at Franklin and Jackson served by northbound #11 Lincoln/Sedgwick buses will be removed. Customers are advised to board and exit northbound #11 buses from the existing bus stops located at either Franklin and Van Buren or Franklin and Adams.
Ongoing Bus Reroutes
Buses Rerouted on Harrison Due to Construction
Harrison Street between Paulina and Ashland continues to be closed until Thursday, January 1, 2009, due to construction.
Eastbound #7 Harrison buses will travel over the regular route to Paulina then will operate via Polk, Ashland to Harrison and then resume the regular route.
Eastbound #126 Jackson buses operating during late evenings, weekends and holidays will travel over the regular route to Harrison then will operate via Harrison, Wood, Polk, Ashland to Harrison and then resume the regular route.
#7 Harrison Bus Stop Temporarily Relocated
Until further notice, the westbound mid-block bus stop located at Harrison near Paulina served by the #7 Harrison will be temporarily relocated around the corner on Paulina due to construction.
Bus Stop Relocated Due to Construction at Chestnut and Lake Shore Drive
The bus stop located at Chestnut and Lake Shore Drive served by #10 Museum of Science & Industry and #157 Streeterville buses has been relocated until June 1, 2011, due to construction. Customers must board and exit #157 buses at Inner Lake Shore Drive and Pearson. #10 customers should board on Chestnut between Mies van der Rohe and Michigan or on Michigan southbound at Pearson.
CTA Buses Rerouted Around Wells Street Bridge
Until further notice, two CTA bus routes will be detoured around the Wells Street Bridge due to maintenance and repair work.
Southbound #11 Lincoln/Sedgwick and westbound #125 Water Tower Express buses will operate over the regular route along Wells to Hubbard then travel via Hubbard, LaSalle, Wacker to Wells and then resume the regular route. Northbound #11 and eastbound #125 buses are not affected and will operate over their regular routes.
#24 Wentworth Buses Temporarily Rerouted Due to Sewer Repair Work
Until further notice, #24 Wentworth buses will be temporarily rerouted to adjacent streets due to sewer repair work at the intersection of Vincennes Avenue and 71st Street.
#34 South Michigan Buses Temporarily Rerouted Due to Construction
Until further notice, 130th Street at Indiana Avenue is closed due to viaduct and sewer repair work. Southbound #34 South Michigan buses will travel over the regular route along Michigan to 115th and then operate via 115th, Bishop Ford Expressway, 130th to Langley and then resume the regular route. Northbound #34 buses will travel the reverse route. During this time, bus shuttles will operate along Michigan Avenue between 115th and 127th streets.
Buses Reroute Due to Construction
Halsted is closed at Root Street from 6 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. and again at 4 p.m. until
6 p.m. each day until further notice, due to construction. Westbound #43 43rd buses will operate over the regular route to Halsted and then will travel via Halsted, 45th Street, Morgan to Exchange and then resume the regular route. Eastbound #43 buses will operate the reverse route.
#60 Blue Island/26th Buses Rerouted Due to Street Closure
Until further notice, Laflin Street between Cermak and 21st Place will be closed to all traffic due to construction at Benito Juarez School. Eastbound #60 Blue Island/26th buses will travel over the regular route to Cermak then will operate via Cermak, Loomis, 21st Street then return to Laflin and resume the regular route. Westbound #60 buses will operate the reverse route.
Temporary Relocation of Bus Stop at Ellis and 57th
Until further notice, the southbound near side bus stop located at Ellis and 57th will be temporarily relocated to a far side stop due to construction on the University of Chicago campus. This change will affect #171 U. of Chicago/Hyde Park and #172 U. of Chicago/Kenwood buses.
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